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In December 2010, Mike sold his bass and bought a drum kit. Pierre bought a cheap microphone and plugged it into a practice amp. Like their good ol' days growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, they were playing the blues! Within weeks of forming their two-piece juke group, they met Ryan Lynn. The friendship came immediately and once Ryan picked up the bass, the music quickly followed. By combining musical elements from the genres they loved, the songs poured out in an inspired fury. Only three months after meeting, they chose the name of the folkloric slave hero, John the Conqueror, and took to the stage playing their own blend of the southern rock from their childhoods, the punk of their adolescence and the blues and soul they had always held closely. With a little help from the fabled John the Conqueror magical powers, Patrick Boiselle (Alive Naturalsound Records) signed the eleven-month-old group after seeing a video of the first song they'd written, "Ain't Comin Home."

With their October 2012 self-titled release, John the Conqueror resurrected a forgotten tale and added to that mythos. Blues Matters! Magazine (UK) says, 'This debut is dependable, solid and timeless.' About the lead single, Brian Mansfield of USA Today writes: 'Time To Go: This raw, bluesy old-school soul track is just one of many gems on this Philadelphia trio's debut album.' Vinyl Under Review adds, 'John the Conqueror's music is loaded with attitude, but not a speck of pretension. This is no frills, from the gut rock and roll and the impact is immediate.'

Recently, the three returned to Retrocity Studios to record their second album. "Once Upon A Time" will be released in January 2014, and if they have a little magic left, the world may yet know the legend of John the Conqueror.

While Thee Idea Men are the first to make fun of themselves in their signature self-deprecating yet gloating style, their rock and blues EP is a multilayered homage to beloved influencers while laying the groundwork for a rich, opulent eight-track album that diversifies their goofy, over-the-top personas. The melodic cadences the three-piece band contrives from their Philadelphian home is strategically crafted but adhered with reputable talent that eclipses many struggling contenders. But it's not their fault; they were clearly birthed and then serendipitously met in their mid-20's to form Thee Idea Men.

After Matthew Jurasek, (guitarist/vocals) was asked by fellow Drexel University student, Tyler March, (drums), to write a few songs for his senior project at Drexel University, the two snowballed the classroom assignment into a full-fledged band, adding Kris Prinat (bass) to complete their trio while luckily adding some good-looks to their somewhat homely group. They soon moved in together and converted their spare room into a studio where the three started jamming regularly just for shits and giggles. Soon the sounds they were making became too rousing that they were all but cornered into turning their stoned-jam sessions into the real deal; a few months later we are graced with Thee Idea Men – and luckily too.

When asking Thee Idea Men who actually has the best ideas, Jurasek interjects, "Let's get something right. We all have the best ideas, hence why we are Thee Idea Men. And we have them because we are thinkers and drinkers, and occasional smokers." This assemblage of inspiration and education clearly represents itself on the cover of their album where they chose to wear bold leotards for their photo-shoot, because it's obvious these three soon-to-be college grads take everything with a grain of salt and a shot of whiskey, minus the meticulous care and attention to detail given to their standout EP "Getcho Groo Von". But what truly rounds this young band into their old-soul groove is a compilation of raw talent, their genealogy given to the rock and roll greats, and their obvious spirited obsession with music, sounds, and living life in an ultra-engaged fashion. Sucking the marrow out of life, Thee Idea Men are not only set and ready with their sails ready, but they are filled to the bone with determination to play music for the rest of their lives.

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Ryan Gaughan and long time friend Stef Emery have decided to finally join forces. Their love for blues, old school Rock and seemingly every band starting with the the word black brought them to push the limits of their own writing and explore simplistic rock, catchy hooks and meaningful lyrics.